CAG confirms Raja’s corruption – Oust him if not ready to step down

BJP seeks Raja’s ouster
Pioneer News Service

Renewing attack against Telecom Minister A Raja, the BJP on Monday demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to remove him immediately if he refuses to step down on his own in light of recent findings by the CAG about corruption in the allotment of 2G spectrum licences.

Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said Raja’s ouster from the Cabinet was also required in view of the affidavit filed by CBI before the Supreme Court asking for a deeper investigation into the matter that appeared complex.

“We fear there could be an attempt not to do justice to the case if Raja continues to remain a member of the Cabinet. He has to go to ensure a free and fair probe into the matter,” she told reporters.

“The CAG reports say that most of the 126 licenses were illegal. Licenses have been awarded to companies, five of which did not have any experience in telecommunication sector. CBI has filed an affidavit saying this matter was complex and needs deeper investigation,” she maintained, adding the total loss to the exchequer was to the tune of `70,000 crore.

And revisiting the controversy over appointment of former telecom secretary PJ Thomas as the new chief vigilance commissioner, the BJP leader said she did not see any help forthcoming from the CVC when his role in the previous tenure would also come under the scanner at some point of time during the investigation.

“It was for this reason that our leader Sushma Swaraj had objected to her appointment. An RTI inquiry has now revealed that he is on bail in a graft case relating to import of palmolein in Kerala,” Sitharaman added.

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